Community Corner

Couples Celebrate Valentine's Day in Holy Matrimony

Bellmore couple among those who renewed their vows at Town of Hempstead Chapel on Monday.

Love was certainly in the air at the Town of Hempstead Chapel on Monday.

Numerous couples from all over Nassau County came to Town Hall to either celebrate their marriage for the first time or renew their vows after years of being together.

Gregory Caggiano and his new wife Nina De Gracia, who live in East Meadow, met over coffee at Starbucks, and they were the first couple that was married by Town Supervisor Kate Murray.

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"It was very special," Caggiano said. "We didn't realize it was going to be this elaborate."

Couples were married, and then they were provided with non-alcoholic champagne, wedding cake and a photo op.

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Dominic and Dorthy Chiavone, residents of Bellmore, renewed their vows after recently celebrating their 60th anniversary together.

"Just trust each other," Dorothy said. "You just need to roll with the punches." The Chiavones met at a graduation party after Dominic got home from the service. They haven't been apart since.

The next renewal featured a familiar face, Bill Korbel, who is a meteorologist for News 12. Korbel, who grew up in East Meadow and now lives in Merrick, celebrated 38 years together with his wife Sharon.

"It's sharing a lot of the same likes, allowing the other person to do what they like, and remembering to put the toilet seat down," Korbel said. "And being able to meet the right person. I got lucky with that."

Martin and Patricia Sixsmith, who have lived in East Meadow for the last 40 years, have been in love since first grade, and Monday, they celebrated 50 years of matrimony.

"It's just a close family," Patricia said. "We have one son and two grandsons. I guess the family keeps you going and keeps you close."

Al and Pearl Gordon, who live in Merrick and have been married for 61 years, use their sense of humor to keep things strong.

"He's always had a good sense of humor," Pearl said. "Even if I was down, he was always supportive."

Al used to date Pearl's girlfriend, and Pearl was set up to go on a double date with Al and his brother. Although things didn't work out between Pearl and Al's brother, Pearl and Al ran in to each other while Al was playing handball, and the rest is history.

"He had to ask his brother for permission," Pearl said. "Things were different back then."

Supervisor Murray was thrilled to be marrying the couples, and she says that it proves that love really is in the air.

"It is a great thing for all of us," Murray said. "We all get very excited for this, and it really expands the definition of love. You really see every form of it."


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